How To Reimagine Expectations About Disabled People
Or: Thwarting the Tyranny of Low Expectations
Image Description: An abstract image that is dark, almost black around the edges. Moving to the center it is lighter, similar to stained glass, with a blue mountain shape and the suggestion of a milky cloudy sky above.
In a world where we don’t recognize the potential of people with disabilities because we are too busy denying their basic humanity, the question becomes: how do we stop? How do we stop living under the tyranny of low (or zero) expectations for disabled people and reimagine a better way?
If we continue devaluing these lives then there will be no education opportunities left, no work open, no public spaces accessible — no place to basically exist with a disability. As humans, this should terrify us all because humanity is disabled. We all will be touched by illness, disability, and the need for care at some point in our lives. Therefore, we must bolster every opportunity to imagine a better world for disabled bodies, one that is open to opportunity, aspiration, and a thriving existence for us all.
Banish the concept of “can’t.” Practice the concept of “why not.”
When I was a kid with a disability and complained about not being able to do something, I remember my mother’s frustration with the word “can’t” and the assumption I was making. She always encouraged me, rather than saying and believing that I couldn’t, to finding a way — in essence: why not?
I learned to create solutions to my own physical difficulties. Couldn’t open a bottle, then create a gripping tool to loosen it. Couldn’t open a soda can, then use a fork as a leaver to pry it open. Couldn’t walk down stairs, then slide down on my bum. Every can’t has a solution or a why not: try different ways to accomplish the goal, make a tool (or invent a method of using an old tool), or invent an entirely new approach.
Another aspect of this should ultimately become: why not make our society just more accessible? Why not make things easier for everyone? For example, ramps may be built for ADA compliance, but they also help people with strollers, carts, and luggage. “Why not” is a phrase that can lead us to maximizing inclusion for all if we choose to harness its powerful idea.
Invite disabled voices into community instead of actively excluding them.
A great deal of exclusion and inaccessibility continues to occur with the regular practice of not inviting disabled voices into discussions that impact them. A great example of the moment is automated vehicles, which on its surface could be a great liberator of disabled people in providing transportation options to the majority of us who are unable to drive.
Unfortunately, no company currently operating (or testing AV passenger service) is even attempting to develop and test this kind of vehicle, despite research that found it not only possible, but easy to do if the idea of accessibility is integrated from the start. Current companies have zero accessible vehicle designs and will eventually have to retrofit, reinvent, or push disabled passengers again to the sidelines with segregated (usually unequal due to scarcer vehicles and shorter operating hours, much like what has happened nationwide with accessible cab and ride share services) offerings.
One could say: well, they didn’t know to reach out to disabled people. Except they did. For years disabled customers, organizations, and even federal agencies asked, suggested, and even funded studies showing the need, importance, and possibility of accessible automated vehicles, only to be ignored. Now that’s a lot of effort to exclude a huge source of potential rider income. (For more, see “Ground Transportation for People with Mobility Disabilities 2025: Challenges and Progress” from the National Council on Disability, chapter 6)
Abandon pre-conceived notions. Assume everything is possible.
As I developed my identity, I am grateful that in many ways I avoided some of the low expectations concerning disabled people. First, because my parents encouraged and taught me that I could make my life and solve problems — that, in essence, I could find a way. Second, whenever I was told no by an authority or societal message, I took this up as a challenge for me to thwart. In many ways, being stubborn and oppositional has come in handy throughout my life. (So there! Hah!)
So, when encountering people with disabilities, we need to throw out those old messages that they can’t, shouldn’t, or won’t. Instead, we should just assume everything is possible. Why not a disabled, wheelchair using traveler? Why not a disabled TV host? Why not a Deafblind Harvard Law School graduate, advocate, and accomplished public speaker? Why not people with intellectual disabilities earning an equal wage?
The point is to assume anything can be achieved, that all opportunities can be opened to disabled people — and that society should do everything in its power to make this possible by tearing away barriers in attitude, policy, and structure.
Embrace your past, present, or future disabled body or mind.
When you have a disabled body or mind, what would you want for yourself? Do you want to continue living your life of choice? Of course you do!
So, what in our society needs to change to make this possible? It could be multiplying accessible and affordable housing options nationwide. It could be ensuring that all transportation options are equally accessible. It could be providing accommodations for employment and focusing on eliminating job discrimination experienced by disabled people. It could also be ensuring that supportive care options are available so that you can stay in your preferred community and not be forced into an institution. In all these ways and more, your (past, present, or future) disabled self cries out for better opportunities and inclusion.
Humans are gifted with the ability to build our own world, to maximize our opportunities for achievement. Why not think bigger about what that means and what beauty we can create with this unique power?
Please join me in celebrating the 100th newsletter of Rolling With It! I’m so thrilled to have written these many issues and to be rolling into year three with you. Thanks for being here and reading my missives! I love hearing from readers, so comments are warmly welcomed. If you enjoy this newsletter, please “like” it to let people know it is worth checking out. Thanks so much for your support!
Such good points about the self-driving vehicles! They need to make ones with lifts. And then have a plan for quick response if the lift malfunctions.
I have seen this debated and wonder your take: when seemingly able-bodied folks push the accessible buttons for doors to open automatically in public, is this frustrating? Or does frequent use keep the door in good working order? (Of course, seemingly able-bodied is ableist in itself; I availed myself of that button during the hardest days of my own invisible disability).
Congratulations on your 100th post! You highlighted something here that I think all of us living with disabilities acquire in our lifetime: the ability to be extremely resourceful. There hasn't been much I haven't been able to figure out, but it would be so nice to just have everything be accessible (and jars be easy to open) without us having to "figure it out" or buy some kind of new tool.